2009 Volkswagen GTI - 10Best Cars

Hot-hatchback hero.

It’s been a quarter-century since the first GTI put an exclamation point on Volkswagen’s Rabbit

lineup, and 25 years of continuous development through five generations have yielded a car that still defines the class it established in that other century.

VW’s robust 2.0-liter turbo four provides ample thrust, driving the front wheels through a six-speed manual transmission (standard) or, our choice, the slick paddle-shifted dual-clutch DSG automated manual.

But it’s the GTI’s rigid unibody that makes it such an agreeable partner, whether it’s the daily commute or a weekend back-road blast. Exemplary chassis rigidity allowed the development team to tune the suspension for a blend of precise response and smooth ride quality reminiscent of a car wearing BMW badges.

As an added bonus, GTI ownership includes an exceptionally high practicality factor. Like the Rabbit/Golf series on which it’s based, the GTI has grown over the years, growth that’s magnified by the versatility that’s shared by all hatchbacks. The option of three- or five-door body styles augments the practicality factor.

Practicality and fun in a small-scale, sporty German hatchback. It doesn’t get much better.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, front-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 3- or 5-door hatchback

BASE PRICE: $23,640–$24,240

ENGINE TYPE: turbocharged and intercooled DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4
Power (SAE net): 200 bhp @ 5100 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 207 lb-ft @ 1800 rpm

TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed manual, 6-speed dual-clutch automated manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 101.5 in Length: 165.7 in Width: 69.3 in Height: 58.4 in
Curb weight: 3150–3250 lb

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 21–22/29–31 mpg

2009 Porsche Boxster and Cayman - 10Best Cars

Sports-car purity.

The hallmark of a true sports car is how well it involves its driver in the driving. Although the Boxster and the Cayman differ in character—roadster versus hardtop—they’re alike in terms of how well they communicate every nuance of mechanical information to the pilots and how accurately they convert driver inputs into response. This is the essence of the car-and-driver connection, and few sports cars do it better.

Neither of these mechanically identical mid-engined cousins can be called inexpensive. Pricing for a basic Boxster, with a 245-hp, 2.7-liter flat-six, isn’t much under $50,000, and a loaded Cayman S easily surpasses $70,000. But we have yet to meet an owner who thinks his car isn’t worth the money.

This is the 10th 10Best appearance for the Boxster, and the third straight for the Cayman. Aside from several electronic comfort/convenience options—XM satellite radio and Bluetooth, iPod, MP3, and USB connectivity—both cars enter the 2009 model year unchanged. However, direct injection and dual-clutch automated manual gearboxes are expected to be on the list of mechanical particulars sometime in early ’09.

VEHICLE TYPE: mid-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door roadster or 3-door hatchback

ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $47,000–$61,000

ENGINES: DOHC 24-valve 2.7-liter flat-6, 245 hp, 201 lb-ft; DOHC 3.4-liter flat-6, 295 hp, 251 lb-ft

TRANSMISSIONS: 5-speed auto with manumatic shifting, 5- or 6-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 95.1 in Length: 171.6–172.1 in Width: 70.9 in Height: 50.9–51.4 in
Curb weight: 2900–3100 lb

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 18–20/25–29 mpg

2009 Mazda MX-5 Miata - 10Best Cars

The sweetheart of sports cars.

Mazda modernized the concept of the classic British roadster with the original Miata in 1989, and two decades later, the process is still in progress. Suspension tuning strikes an inspired balance between everyday comfort and track-day readiness, there’s enough power to make a track day rewarding, the transmission is race-car crisp, and the steering provides that rare sense of connection that makes the car an extension of the driver’s will.

Although it’s a two-seater with no superfluous sheetmetal, the Miata is roomy enough for two adults (NBA players need not apply), with enough space in the trunk for a couple of duffels. The convertible top has long set the standard for simplicity of manual use—it can be operated with one hand from the driver’s seat—and Mazda also offers a power-retractable hardtop. Like the softtop, it’s a gem, folding up or down in just 12 seconds.

Because it’s civilized enough for everyday use, the Miata is more than a track toy. And because it’s affordable—pricing starts at about $22,000, and even loaded with every option, it just crests $30,000—this is sports-car fun almost anyone can afford.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 2-passenger, 2-door roadster

ESTIMATED BASE PRICE: $22,000–$28,000

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 16-valve 2.0-liter inline-4
Power (SAE net): 158 or 166 bhp @ 6700 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 140 lb-ft @ 5000 rpm

TRANSMISSIONS: 6-speed auto with manumatic shifting; 5- or 6-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 91.7 in Length: 157.3 in Width: 67.7 in Height: 49.0–49.4 in
Curb weight: 2450–2650 lb

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 20–22/27–28 mpg

2009 Jaguar XF - 10Best Cars

Quantum break with the past.

In our first hands-on report concerning this new car [March 2008], we described the XF as “an athletic five-seater that defies ancient traditions.” That’s a key point, because Jaguar had been mired in a styling rut, perpetuating past designs to the point of irrelevance. We’ve heard a few pundits suggest the XF “doesn’t look like a Jaguar.” To which we say: Right, and none too soon.

Although there are elements from the XK sports car and the S-type sedan, the XF is essentially a new unibody, with distinctly higher platform rigidity than the S-type. It’s a little bigger than the S-type, on the same wheelbase, and a little roomier. Interior furnishings are quietly upscale, and there’s a sense of tailored comfort that’s common to high-end European sports sedans.

As pleasant as it is to behold, the XF’s most compelling attribute is outstanding dynamics. Power, from either the standard 4.2-liter V-8 or a supercharged 4.2-liter V-8, ranges from sufficient to stimulating, and the Jag’s responses to zigs and zags are gracefully feline.

This is the first Jaguar to appear on our 10Best Cars honor roll. We suspect it won’t be the last.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear-wheel-drive, 5-passenger, 4-door sedan

BASE PRICE: $49,975–$64,475

ENGINES: DOHC 32-valve 4.2-liter V-8, 300 hp, 310 lb-ft; supercharged and intercooled DOHC 32-valve 4.2-liter V-8, 420 hp, 413 lb-ft

TRANSMISSION: 6-speed auto with manumatic shifting

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 114.5 in Length: 195.3 in Width: 73.9 in Height: 57.5 in
Curb weight: 4100–4250 lb

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 15–16/23–25 mpg

2009 Infiniti G37 - 10Best Cars

Closing in on the champ.

Although BMW still rules this class—entry-level luxury sports sedans and coupes— Infiniti keeps edging closer to parity with the Germans. A 2003, ’04, and ’07 10Best winner, the G returns for ’09, thanks in large measure to the sedan’s new 3.7-liter V-6 rated at 328 horsepower, an increase of 22 over the previous 3.5-liter six.

We’re not immune to the appeal of more power, of course, but there’s more to the G’s story than increased muscle. The powertrain team also improved the refinement of the V-6 and the engagements and feel of the six-speed manual transmission, putting it on par with, if not ahead of, the gearbox in BMW’s 3-series. Similarly, the chassis engineers have maintained the G’s agile handling while simultaneously taking the hard edge off the ride quality, a particularly welcome improvement in the firmer Sport edition.

The G coupe and sedan haven’t changed much visually (though a convertible version is due in mid-’09). But that’s not a demerit; styling has never been a weak suit. And the quality of interior appointments and features compares well with any car in this class. Also, the G37 still enjoys a price advantage over corresponding BMW 3-series models. Think 335i performance for 328i money.

VEHICLE TYPE: front-engine, rear- or 4-wheel-drive, 4- or 5-passenger, 2-door coupe or 4-door sedan

BASE PRICE: $34,065–$36,715

ENGINE TYPE: DOHC 24-valve 3.7-liter V-6
Power (SAE net): 328 or 330 bhp @ 7000 rpm
Torque (SAE net): 269 or 270 lb-ft @ 5200 rpm

TRANSMISSIONS: 7-speed auto with manumatic shifting, 6-speed manual

DIMENSIONS:
Wheelbase: 112.2 in Length: 183.1–187.0 in Width: 69.8–71.8 in Height: 54.7–57.8 in
Curb weight: 3650–3850 lb

FUEL ECONOMY:
EPA city/highway driving: 17–18/25–26 mpg